Small household with a single buffet
You want to serve a limited amount of toast without having lots left over once it’s been opened. A small pack or individually wrapped portions help you control how much you open.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Buffet host serving a variety of toppings
You’re looking for a base that won’t overpower the flavour of the toppings. Plain Melba toast is one option; check the ingredients and allergens for each product.
Host catering for dietary requirements or allergies
You may need a separate base for one of your guests. Regular Melba toast and a cracker labelled gluten-free aren’t automatically interchangeable: read the full allergen information and use separate serving utensils if necessary.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, decide how much toast you want to open during the buffet and whether the pack has individual portions. Then compare the flavour, nutritional information and allergens of the varieties that suit your guests.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Quantity and portions | Compare the net weight and check whether a larger pack has individual inner packs. | If I’m organising just one small buffet, I don’t want to open more toast than necessary. For around 36% of consumers, minimising leftover opened toast is the top priority. |
| Neutral flavour | Choose between plain toast and a variety with herbs or other flavourings. | When I’m serving a range of toppings, I don’t want the toast to dominate their flavour. Around 29% of consumers prioritise a versatile base above all else. |
| Wholegrain and nutritional value | Compare the ingredients and the fibre and salt values per 100 g. | If the type of grain is the deciding factor for me, I want to compare the nutritional information for specific varieties. This is the top priority for around 21% of consumers. |
| Diet and allergens | Read the current label in full; if you’re eating gluten-free, also check that the packaging says so. | If a guest needs to avoid an allergen, the separate base must meet their requirements. For around 14% of consumers, suitability is the first thing they look for. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming ‘half loaf’ tells you how much is in the pack
This description doesn’t tell you how much toast is in a pack or how much you’ll need to open at once. The products listed range from small 100–120 g packs to larger 240 g packs.
Check the net weight and any individual portions. Before buying, decide whether you’ll use the rest of a larger pack.
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Assuming wholegrain is the obvious choice for every guest
Jumbo lists Van der Meulen Melba Wholegrain Toast as containing 9.7 g of fibre and 1.9 g of salt per 100 g. This variety also contains wheat and sesame.
Compare the nutritional information if wholegrain matters to you, but check separately whether the ingredients suit your guests.
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Confusing gluten-free with allergen-free
A gluten-free cracker may contain other allergens. Jumbo lists Schär Crackers as gluten-free and wheat-free, but they contain soya.
Read the current label on the pack you choose. Keep products and serving utensils separate if a guest needs to avoid gluten strictly.
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Assuming all toast contains baker’s salt
The Voedingscentrum says that bread does not have to be baked with baker’s salt. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority states that adding it is permitted under certain conditions; this does not prove that a particular toast contains it.
Check the ingredients of the toast you choose if the presence of baker’s salt matters to you.
Brands to consider
Van der Meulen
Melba toast in a range of varieties. Jumbo lists plain and wholegrain options at 120 g, as well as a 100 g organic sesame variety.
- The plain variety comes in a small pack, making it suitable for a buffet where you won’t need much.
- Check the allergens for each variety: Jumbo’s listed wholegrain option contains sesame and has 1.9 g of salt per 100 g.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn lists AH Plain Melba Toast in a 240 g pack containing 12 individual packs of 6 toast slices.
- The inner packs mean you can open just some of the toast.
- The total quantity is larger than in a 100–120 g pack; check the allergens on the packaging too.
Jumbo
Jumbo lists a range of toast products, including Melba toast from other brands.
- The range gives you options to compare plain and wholegrain varieties.
- Jumbo says its own tomato and basil Melba toast is no longer in its online range; don’t count on finding this variety without checking availability.
Sun Snacks (ALDI)
ALDI lists Sun Snacks Plain Melba Toast in a 240 g pack as an in-store product.
- The larger pack may suit you if you’re catering for more guests or plan to use the rest.
- Check availability in store and read the current label.
Lidl
Lidl Netherlands lists 240 g Melba toast as an in-store product.
- The pack size is worth comparing if you’re buying for several buffet occasions.
- Check the label on the pack you buy for ingredients and allergens.
Bolletje
Bolletje also makes rusk, crackers, crispbread and ciabatta snack crackers as alternative crunchy bases.
- A cracker or rusk can be an alternative if you’re looking for a different shape or texture.
- These products aren’t automatically interchangeable with thin Melba toast; consider the size and flavour of the specific product.
Joybuy products for a small buffet
These two products come in small packs, making them a good choice if you don’t want to buy much toast at once. They’re Melba toast and Rice Toast: check which base suits the toppings and dietary requirements of your guests.
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Delverde Classic Melba Toast, 100 g
The 100 g pack is a good fit for a buffet where you only want to open a limited amount of Melba toast.
If your guests have allergies, bear in mind that this product contains wheat and barley. Also check the current label for possible traces of sesame, soya and mustard.
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Van Der Meulen Rice Toast Natural, 65 g
This 65 g pack of Rice Toast offers a different crunchy base for a small buffet. If you need a gluten-free option, check the wording on the current packaging.
The available information about sesame and soya is contradictory. If someone has a sesame or soya allergy, only serve this product after checking the label.
Frequently asked questions
What does ‘half loaf’ mean when it comes to toast?
Don’t use this term to work out how much is in a pack of toast. Compare the net weight and check whether the pack is divided into smaller portions; for example, Albert Heijn lists 12 packs of 6 toast slices in a 240 g pack of AH Plain Melba Toast.
How should I store toast left over after the buffet?
Follow the storage advice on the packaging of the toast you choose. For the Melba toast it lists, Albert Heijn recommends storing it in a sealed tin once opened; serving small amounts at a time means the rest can stay in its packaging in the meantime.
Does all toast contain iodine from baker’s salt?
No, don’t assume this is the case for a particular type of toast. The Voedingscentrum says baker’s salt isn’t compulsory in bread; check the ingredients of the toast you want to buy if this matters to you.
Can I serve regular Melba toast to someone who eats gluten-free?
The regular Van der Meulen Melba toast listed by Jumbo contains gluten-containing cereals, so it isn’t a suitable gluten-free option. Choose a product labelled gluten-free on the current packaging and check for other allergens too: the gluten-free Schär Crackers listed by Jumbo contain soya.